[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Goes To War

[Fred]

>From Stratfor:
(an intel analysis outfit in DC)

Linux Goes To War

April 21, 2008: One method of protecting your military networks  
from hackers is to use an operating system other than the  
ubiquitous Microsoft Windows (which controls over 85 percent of the  
market). Linux has been a popular choice for the military. The U.S.  
Navy uses Linux to run critical systems on its warships. The U.S.  
Army is using Linux for its networked FCS (Future Combat System)  
vehicles (which are still in development).  The army is also  
converting many of its Microsoft Windows applications to run under  
Linux.

It’s not just the better security Linux provides, but the fact that  
there are many versions of Linux to choose from, and the operating  
system is easier to modify (being an “open source” system, unlike  
the proprietary Windows.) Currently, the U.S. Department of Defense  
has over 200 Linux based software projects in development.

China has also gone down this route, and is trying to get all  
Chinese computer users to switch to Linux. This has proved  
difficult, because so many Chinese use stolen Windows software to  
run their businesses. Often, there is no Linux alternative for key  
Windows applications. The military, however, uses custom made  
software for its most critical applications, and it’s easier to  
create this stuff using Linux.
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